New Zealand simplifies Its "Golden Visa" Program

Photo: Partha Narasimhan / Unsplash

What has happened?

Starting April 1, 2025, New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus visa will be reduced to two categories, and the list of eligible investments will be expanded, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced on February 9 in Auckland.

In addition to removing the language test, other potential barriers to investment will also be reviewed, including the required time investors should spend in the country.

Quote

“Capital is highly mobile and in an increasing complex world, people are looking for a safe and stable country to do business,” Stanford said. “We are now making our investor visa simpler and more flexible to incentivize investors to choose New Zealand as a destination.”

Context

After a sharp economic downturn in 2024, the New Zealand government aims to leverage lower interest rates to improve economic performance but acknowledges a shortage of necessary capital.

"We must roll out the red carpet and encourage investor migrants to choose New Zealand as the destination for their capital," said Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis on February 9. "Foreign investments can create jobs for New Zealanders, boost incomes by establishing new businesses, and support existing ones through investment."

The Active Investor Plus visa has successfully attracted high-net-worth individuals to New Zealand, bringing in an average of NZD 1 billion per year. However, demand declined after rule changes in late 2022.

According to Immigration New Zealand, only 43 applications have been approved since the changes were implemented.

The new program will consist of two categories        

1️⃣ Higher-Risk Investment:

• Minimum investment: NZD 5 million ($2.9 million) over three years.
• Funds can be invested directly into a business or managed funds.
• Visa holders must spend only 21 days in New Zealand.

2️⃣ Balanced or Mixed-Risk Investment:

• Minimum investment: NZD 10 million ($5.8 million) over five years.
• Funds can be invested in bonds, stocks, new property development (including residential), or existing commercial and industrial real estate.
• Visa holders must spend at least 105 days in New Zealand, unless they invest more than the minimum required amount.

New Zealand is relaxing its investor visa regulations at a time when many other countries are scaling back similar programs.

• Spain will terminate its "Golden Visa" program on April 3.

• The UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Greece, and Malta have either already ended or tightened restrictions on their investor visa programs.                                                        

Source: Economic Times

Photo by Partha Narasimhan on Unsplash

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